James Collins wasted a fine chance to equalise just before the Ivorian struck, leaving Allardyce incensed.

The defeat was the London side's first in six and leaves West Ham 10th in the Premier League with little to play for in their remaining three fixtures of the season.

Allardyce said: "I think that first half we showed a little bit too much respect to Man City and allowed them to just dominate possession but second half at least we started passing the ball properly and put them under a little bit of pressure.

"In that period of course, when you get a chance or a half chance you've got take it, it's been our problem all season.

"We changed the system to try and assert a little bit more pressure on them going towards the end of the game then Yaya Toure pulls out a screamer."

Speaking of his goalscorer, Carroll, Allardyce said there was "a lot to do" before any deal could be agreed but reaffirmed his desire to see the on-loan striker move to Upton Park permanently.